JPS6364807B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a magnetic card reading device that improves reading accuracy and simplifies the structure.

A magnetic card reader has a card passageway for guiding the movement of the card, and the passageway gap generally has a considerably larger margin than the thickness of the card in order to allow smooth movement of the card. However, inside the passage, the magnetic head must be in close contact with the recording surface of the magnetic card.

Conventionally, in order to ensure this close contact, a rotating roller made of an elastic material is placed facing the passage, and this roller presses the card against the magnetic head. For this reason, the number of rollers and parts for supporting the rollers increases, and the parts have to be attached to both sides of the card passage, which is a problem.

In addition, the transducer (magnetic head) must be able to rotate in the direction perpendicular to the direction of movement of the magnetic card so that the transducer (magnetic head) can follow the magnetic card even if the magnetic card is distorted or tilted. It was hot.

As such, a magnetic recording/reproducing apparatus disclosed in Japanese Utility Model Application Publication No. 54-34715 is known.

In the device disclosed in the publication, the transducer can also rotate in a direction intersecting the direction of movement of the magnetic card, and exhibits good followability to the magnetic card.

However, if the transducer is made rotatable, it is also necessary to limit the rotation angle of the transducer. In the above-mentioned publication, the rotation angle is limited by the abutment between the transducer and the hole into which the transducer is inserted.

However, the method disclosed in the publication requires a hole of considerable depth in order to limit the rotation angle, and the depth of the hole can be secured by making the guide wall of the magnetic card in which the hole is formed thin. If the rotation angle is large, the transducer may fall out of the hole, resulting in malfunction. Additionally, if the rotation angle of the transducer is limited by the hole into which the transducer is inserted, the size of the hole will naturally be limited.
During assembly work, it is necessary to align the transducer and the hole, making assembly extremely difficult.

The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned problems, and by holding a transducer so as to be rotatable in a direction intersecting the direction of movement of a magnetic card, it improves followability to a magnetic card and , the rotation angle of the transducer can be limited even when the side wall that guides the magnetic card is made thinner, and the hole that exposes the transducer to the card path is made larger to make it easier to assemble the transducer. It is an object of the present invention to provide a magnetic card reading device in which the rotation angle of a transducer can be limited and the rotation of the transducer can be smoothly performed.

The present invention will be explained below based on illustrated embodiments.

In FIGS. 1 and 2 showing an embodiment of the present invention, reference numerals 10 and 11 are guide members formed by pressing a metal plate, and are fixed with screws (not shown) with a metal plate 12 of a constant thickness interposed therebetween. ), forming a card passage 13 through which the magnetic card 14 can pass. The card passage 13 has a certain gap that is approximately twice as large as the wall thickness of the card 14, and the magnetic card 14
is in contact with the end surface of the metal plate 12 and can move smoothly in the direction of the arrow 15.

In one guide member 10, the magnetic head 16
A holding device 17 for holding the is configured. The holding device 17 includes a movable portion 18 that is integrally constructed with the magnetic head 16, and two support members 19 cut and raised from the guide member 10 to support the movable portion 18.
20.

As shown in detail in FIGS. 3 and 4, the movable member 18 is made of resin (for example, ABS resin) provided with a hollow portion 21 for press-fitting and holding the magnetic head 16.
A holding frame 22 made of metal, a plate spring 23 made of metal (stainless steel spring material, phosphor bronze spring material, beryllium copper spring material, etc.) extending left and right from this holding frame,
The main elements are rod-shaped parts 24 and 25 made of resin (for example, ABS resin) with a circular cross section attached to each end of this leaf spring, and these parts are integrally molded by insert molding.

Specifically, the holding frame 22 holds the metal plate 26 and the magnetic head 16 in a press-fitted state in the direction of arrow 35 (see FIG. 3). In this case, the head and the holding frame may be fixed with adhesive, but if the protrusion 36 is integrally molded on the inside of the holding frame 22, when the magnetic head 22 and the metal plate 26 are press-fitted, both will be attached to the inside. It is desirable to press and hold it to simplify workability. Note that the holding frame has a stepped portion 27 for determining the press-fitting position of the magnetic head 16.
have.

As shown in FIG. 5, the metal plate 26 has several protrusions 26a formed by press working to ensure good electrical contact with the outer plate of the magnetic head 16. The terminal portions of the metal plate 26, together with the terminals of the magnetic head 16, protrude into the opening of the holding frame 22 and are connected to the electric circuit portion by lead wires (not shown). This metal plate 26 is useful, for example, for grounding the outer plate of the magnetic head. Also, the metal plate 26
Before press-fitting the head 16 into the holding frame 22, insert the claw portion 26b into the small groove provided inside the holding frame 22.
This simplifies the press-fitting work of the head.

The holding strength of the magnetic head 16 may be such that the press-fitting operation can be performed manually.

The holding frame 22 has a protrusion 28 extending in the left-right direction, and works in cooperation with a positioning member 29, which will be described later, to act as a stopper against incorrect insertion of the card.

The leaf springs 23 extend in the left and right direction, and each elastic member 3
0, 31, and a cylindrical first rod-shaped portion 24 is integrated at one end by insert molding, and a cylindrical first rod-shaped portion 24 is formed at the other end.
A second claw-shaped rod-shaped portion 25 having 5a is also integrated. These two rod-like parts have the same central axis and are rotatable about the central axis.

The first support member 19 is vertically cut and raised from the guide member 10 by press working, and the first rod-shaped portion 24 is fitted into the circular hole portion 19a to rotatably and slidably support the first support member 19. do. On the other hand, the second support member 20 is cut and raised perpendicularly from the guide member 10, and has a cut groove 20a whose inner periphery is shaped like an inverted J,
The constricted portion 25a of the second rod-shaped portion 25 is rotatably (but not slidably) supported. In addition, in order to further strengthen the support of the constricted part 25a, the cut groove 20a may be configured with a hole and a passage slightly narrower than the constricted part 25a for pushing the constricted part 25a into the hole, if necessary. .

In the guide member 10, the remaining hole 32 in which the second support member 20 is cut and raised is larger in the direction of the cut groove 20a than the projected area of this support member. This helps improve the workability of fitting the rod-shaped portion 25.

Two positioning members 29 are vertically cut and raised from the guide member 10. The remaining cut-out hole is larger than the projected area of both positioning members 29, and forms an opening 33 through which the head of the magnetic head 16 is exposed.

When the movable body 18 is attached, the positioning member 29 is arranged so that each of the elastic members 30 and 31 is aligned with the holding frame 22.
The contact portion and the guide member 10
Determine the minimum distance between the magnetic head 16 and the reference plane.
The offset position of the reading surface 16a is determined. Furthermore, the height of the positioning member 29 is set so that both support members 1
The central axes of the rod-shaped parts 24 and 25 supported by the guide members 9 and 20 are set slightly higher than the height from the guide member reference plane. For this reason, the elastic members 30, 31
is slightly biased in the direction of arrow 34 in the vicinity of the magnetic head, with each end thereof being pivoted at rod-shaped portions 24, 25.

As a result, the elastic member is given an initial load that urges the magnetic head 16 in the opposite direction of the arrow 34, and the reading surface 16a of the magnetic head is applied to the magnetic card 14.
This also prevents the position of the magnetic head 16 from being displaced due to vibration or external pressure.

The positioning member 29 also has a flat portion 29b (see FIG. 6) parallel to the reference plane of the guide member 10 to provide a stop position for the rotation of the movable body 18 and to ensure smooth rotation. are doing.

In the assembly process, the magnetic head 1 is attached to the movable body 18.
6 and a metal plate 26 are press-fitted and held, and separately punched out by press working,
A guide member 10 provided with supporting members 19 and 20 and a positioning member 29 as cut-and-raised portions formed by bending and another guide member 11 is assembled. First, the first rod-shaped portion 19 of the movable body 18 is inserted into the hole of the first support member 19, and then the constricted portion 25a of the other second rod-shaped portion 25 is inserted into the cut in the second support member 20. Groove 20
It is inserted into a. In this process, the taper 29a provided on the positioning member 29
0 and 31 are smoothly accommodated in the flat portion 29b. Further, when the rod-shaped portion 25 is fitted into the second support member 20, the hole portion 32 allows the rod-shaped portion to move smoothly without interfering with the movement of the rod-shaped portion 25.

With the magnetic head 16 held in this way,
The head 16 is connected to the card passage 1 as shown in FIG.
Stands out against 3. The position of the reading surface 16a is kept constant by a positioning member 29.

When the magnetic card 14 is manually moved along the card path 13 as shown in FIG.
The magnetic head 16 is moved by the arrow 34 (second
(see figure). Therefore, the magnetic head 16 is further urged by the restoring force of the elastic members 30 and 31, and comes into closer contact with the magnetic card 14. The horizontal contraction of the elastic members 30 and 31 caused by the upward displacement of the magnetic head 16 appears as sliding of the first rod-shaped portion 24 with respect to the support member 19.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show cases where the magnetic card 14 is inserted at an angle and cases where a distorted card is inserted. If the contact surface of the card with the magnetic head 16 is not parallel to the card path, as in these cases, the magnetic head 16 will tilt when lifted due to the thickness of the card. Thus, the movable body 18 is rotatably supported and rotates smoothly so that the head reading surface 16a comes into close contact with the card 14. Therefore, even in these cases, the recorded information on the magnetic card can be read accurately.

FIG. 8 shows a case where the insertion direction of the magnetic card 14 is perpendicular to the normal direction and the card cannot be read at all. In response to such insertion, the magnetic head 16 is tilted by pressure from the end of the card 14, and the movable body also rotates. However, the two protrusions 28 provided on the holding frame 22 of the movable body come into contact with the positioning member 29 and prevent the movable body from rotating any further. This prevents the movable body from rotating to an irreversible angle and also prevents pressure from being applied to the electrical leads.

Although one embodiment of the present invention has been described above, the rod-shaped portions 24 and 25 may have a rectangular cross section instead of a circular cross section. In short, it is sufficient that the outer periphery thereof is supported in contact with the supporting members 19 and 20 and is rotatable. Further, the material thereof is not limited to resin, but may be metal.

The guide members 10 and 11 are also not limited to metal plates, but can also be made of resin. Further, the supporting members 19, 20 and the positioning member 29 can also be made of resin.

The positioning member 29 can also have the shape illustrated in FIG. 9 to obtain the same effect as in the embodiment described above.

As described above, in the present invention, since the transducer (magnetic head) is rotatably held, the transducer (magnetic head) is able to follow the magnetic card well and can operate reliably. In addition, since the rotation angle of the transducer is limited by the contact between the outer periphery of the projections provided on both sides of the transducer and the rotating member that rotates together with the transducer, magnetic The rotation angle of the transducer can be limited regardless of the thickness of the guide member that guides the card or the size of the hole that exposes the transducer to the card path. It is possible to save on materials and improve assembly efficiency by increasing the size of the hole that exposes the transducer to the card path.

Further, since the rotation angle of the transducer is limited by the rotation member coming into contact with the positioning member along the outer circumference, the transducer can rotate smoothly.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

1 to 8 show an embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 1 is a perspective view, FIG. 2 is a partially cutaway front view, FIG. 3 is a front view of the movable body 18, and FIG. 4 is a front view of the movable body 18. is a bottom view of the metal plate 26, and FIG. 5a is a front view of the metal plate 26.
Figure b is a sectional view taken along the line AA in Figure 5a, Figure 5c is a bottom view of the metal plate, and Figures 6 and 7 are explanatory diagrams showing the rotation of the magnetic head depending on the card insertion mode. , FIG. 8 is an explanatory view showing the stopper action against incorrect card insertion, and FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing a modification of the positioning member 29. DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 10, 11... Guide member, 13... Card path, 14... Magnetic card, 15... Card movement direction, 16... Magnetic head, 17... Holding device, 18... Movable body, 19... Number 1 support member,
20... Second support member, 20a... Cut groove, 2
2... Holding frame, 23... Leaf spring, 24... First bar-shaped part, 25... Second bar-shaped part, 26... Metal plate, 28... Projection, 29... Positioning member, 29
a...Tapered part, 29b...Flat part, 30, 31
...Elastic member, 32... Hole, 33... Opening.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. A guide member forming a card passage having a gap larger than the wall thickness of the magnetic card to guide the movement of the magnetic card; a transducer for reading during physical movement; the transducer is positioned at a mounting position of the guide member facing the card path; and the transducer is rotated in a direction intersecting the direction of movement of the magnetic card. a holding device that movably holds the transducer; a rotating member that rotates together with the transducer; and protrusions provided on the guide member and located on both sides in a direction intersecting the rotating direction of the transducer, A magnetic card reading device comprising: a positioning member with which the rotating member comes into contact along the outer periphery of the protrusion as the transducer rotates. 2. The rotating member includes a sliding surface that comes into contact along the outer circumference of the protrusion as the transducer rotates, and a sliding surface that contacts the outer circumference of the protrusion when the transducer rotates beyond a predetermined rotation angle. 2. The magnetic card reading device according to claim 1, further comprising a limiting protrusion that limits the rotational angle of the transducer by coming into contact with an outer peripheral portion of the protrusion facing in the rotational direction.